The Hana Bank Korea Open in South Korea has been abuzz with excitement as top seed Daria Kasatkina made her debut in the country, both on and off the court. With a first-round bye and a prime spot in the draw, Kasatkina had plenty of time to indulge in off-court activities before her first match on Thursday.
Kasatkina, ranked world No. 13, shared her delightful experience in Seoul, “I had a lot of time before my first match to enjoy some indoor activities in Seoul. I went to an adventure park, visited a Korean convenience store, bought some skincare products… I’m having a great time here!” She even hit the ice rink with her girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako to beat the heat.
In an impressive fashion, Kasatkina secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Hailey Baptiste, advancing to her sixth quarterfinal of the season. Now, she will face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in what promises to be an exciting match-up.
Raducanu, who considers Seoul one of her favorite cities, is looking forward to the challenge against Kasatkina. She expressed her love for Korean food and the bounce of the courts, hinting at her comfort level. “It’s a match where I don’t really have anything to lose,” she admitted, eager to test her skills against a top-level opponent like Kasatkina.
The quarterfinal clash between Kasatkina and Raducanu is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both players showcasing their strengths and aiming to advance further in the Hana Bank Korea Open. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the tournament!